“We were being a bit selfish at times, but we have changed that mentality now. We are really starting to play as a team and playing a simple game plan.”

Last year’s minor premiers didn’t register a win in their first six games of the 2014 season before recording consecutive victories against Lithgow Workies (30-16), Bathurst St Pat’s (22-20), Bathurst Panthers (32-16) and Orange CYMS (24-18).

Hawks came from 20-0 down at half-time to beat St Pat’s in round eight and they also scored twice in the dying stages against CYMS last Sunday to claim victory.

Hawks will play without Mortimer for their next two matches while he is overseas, but he is confident the team can get the job done without him.

“A lot of players will step up and play crucial roles as leaders,” Mortimer said.

“Brock McGarity played great in the halves on Sunday and I am sure he will do the job when I am gone.”

Last year’s grand finalists used an interesting type of team bonding last week to help their winning streak continue.

Mortimer hosted a bongo drum session which involved players working as a team to create a beat and associated it back to football.

“People would take turns hitting their drum loudly and the people around them would hit their drum softly. It was used to symbolise a person taking a run and players supporting him,” Mortimer explained.

“It was a bit different but I think it helped people get to know each other better away from the footy field. It will help us become friends and hopefully make us want to help each other out as much as possible.”

Mortimer says there will be an added desire to beat their next opponent, Oberon.

They lost to the Tigers by a single point in round two.

“The boys will have a lot of hunger to get them back because we lost by such a short margin. I am confident in saying we can knock them over,” he said.

Mortimer said while he is away, his team needs to turn up with plenty of enthusiasm, work together and follow the game plan.